Sneak preview of MEMS programs at SEMICON West

The maturing technology base, and the fast growing demand for mobile consumer applications, have moved MEMS into the mainstream–and up against consumer market demands for fast ramp to high volumes at low cost. That means the MEMS market is poised for 16% average compound growth, to become a $14 billion opportunity by 2014, according to Yole Développement, with a host of new applications about to come on stream. But it also means that successful companies will be those who figure out how to more efficiently align the traditional one product, one process MEMS business to the current expectations for faster time to market and faster ramp to volume. Leading companies discuss their manufacturing technology solutions.

With double-digit growth forecasted for the MEMS industry, more MEMS devices and sensors are finding applications into the global market place. Smart phones, handheld gaming devices and consoles, and automotive applications are leading the charge. With devices on the market ranging from pressure sensors, RF-MEMS, accelerometers, and gyroscopes; to microphones, microactuators, compasses, CMOS image sensors, chemical sensors, microfluidics, mirrors, and displays, there’s no doubt that MEMS are growing fast. To paraphrase the ITRS, the intersection of market and technology is calling for “More MEMS and More Than MEMS”. This session will feature speakers from all parts of the ecosystem to address how future visions will be realized through the heterogeneous integration of MEMS and ICs.